Third place is coming dwelling — although England almost let all of it slip away.
In a shocking begin to the third-place match, the Three Lions took a 4-0 lead after an unbelievable first half. However France did not give up, scoring three targets early within the second half to maintain the sport alive.
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A hat trick from and late targets from and added to the insanity, ending with a 6-4 England win. It was essentially the most targets scored in a World Cup match since 1982.
This was not the consequence anybody was anticipating from this match, with each groups seeming fairly low power after the frustration of the semifinals. England’s lineup particularly appeared to point that the workforce wasn’t taking part in for a win: Neither captain nor star midfielder Jude Bellingham received the beginning, and beginning goalkeeper was changed by .
However , sporting the captain’s armband, solely wanted two-and-a-half minutes to show that unsuitable, scoring the primary purpose of the sport quickly after the opening whistle.
A header from within the 18th minutes doubled that lead, earlier than Saka added two extra targets earlier than the top of the half as England utterly dismantled the French protection.
However the sport was a unique story within the second half, as France emerged from the break with renewed power. Minutes into the second half, Mbappé broke by way of for his first, earlier than discovered the again of the online within the 54th minute to chop the deficit in half. Barcola, although, did not rejoice, seemingly understanding the work France nonetheless wanted to do.
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Within the 66th minute, Mbappé scored once more, formally turning into the and breaking a tie with him and . The purpose was Mbappé’s tenth of the event, which leads the Golden Boot race.
, with an help on each of Mbappé’s targets, additionally .
France continued to knock on the door, however a penalty drawn within the 87th minute gave England the possibility to comfortably pull to a bigger lead. Saka took the penalty, and buried into the suitable aspect of the purpose, securing a hat trick in a high-stakes second.
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weren’t achieved but, although, as hit an amazing end in stoppage time to deliver France again inside one. However within the ultimate minutes of the sport, Bellingham scored a magnificence to ice the 6-4 win for England.
Ten targets. Absolute insanity. And in the long run, England got here out on prime, incomes the bronze medal for the nation’s finest end since profitable the championship in 1966.
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Sat, July 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM PDT
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 4:10 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports activities Employees
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 4:06 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports activities Employees
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 4:04 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports activities Employees
England takes third place after an astonishing 6-4 win over France.
Bukayo Saka scored a hat trick, Ezri Konsa and Declan Rice struck early, and Jude Bellingham sealed it with the ultimate purpose in stoppage time. Kylian Mbappé scored twice to develop into the World Cup’s all-time main scorer, whereas Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola additionally discovered the online, however France’s comeback fell brief. England is heading dwelling with the bronze.
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 4:02 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports activities Employees
Jude Bellingham delivers in what ought to be the ultimate minute of stoppage time. England wins the ball and comes him by way of the center, the place he takes on the final defender, cuts again into the field and fires previous Maignan to seal third place.
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 4:00 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports activities Employees
Dembélé provides one other with simply minutes left in common time. Will France discover one other to ship the sport to additional time?
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:59 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports activities Employees
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:58 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports activities Employees
A pair of late modifications: Jules Koundé replaces Malo Gusto for France, whereas Chalobah comes on for Guehi for the ultimate couple of minutes.
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:55 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports activities Employees
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:52 PM PDT
Kari Anderson
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:51 PM PDT
Kari Anderson
After initially indicating that Jude Bellingham would take the penalty, Bukayo Saka steps as much as take it as an alternative, and buries the ball previous Maignan into the suitable aspect netting.
England is now up 5-3, with a barely extra comfy lead — although France remains to be in it.
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:48 PM PDT
Kari Anderson
This is likely to be a game-changer: Djed Spence attracts a foul from Malo Gusto within the field, giving England an opportunity to develop their lead.
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:46 PM PDT
Kari Anderson
The referee seems to be getting his legs labored on for a potential cramp, earlier than England’s Jarell Quansah goes down with a cramp of his personal. Quansah is subbed out for Reece James.
It presently seems like 98 levels in Miami.
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:44 PM PDT
Kari Anderson
Moments after Jude Bellingham subs into the sport, he almost pulls England again out of France’s attain with an amazing likelihood, but it surely’s saved.
On the opposite finish, Michael Olise almost equalizes, but it surely goes huge proper. Issues are staying thrilling!
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:39 PM PDT
Kari Anderson
France received so near equalizing, as Michael Olise will get a faucet off an amazing ball from Malo Gusto, but it surely goes simply huge.
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:33 PM PDT
Kari Anderson
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:33 PM PDT
Kari Anderson
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:32 PM PDT
Kari Anderson
Kylian Mbappé scores his second of the sport as Les Bleus proceed a scorching begin to the second half. France is again inside one!
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:29 PM PDT
Kari Anderson
France continues knocking on the door, with Ousmane Dembélé and Dayot Upamecano getting back-to-back possibilities which are saved by Dean Henderson. That two-goal margin is feeling narrower by the minute.
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:23 PM PDT
Kari Anderson
An important save from Mike Maignan, who denies Ivan Toney’s header off a nook kick to maintain England from including one other purpose.
Sat, July 18, 2026 at 3:22 PM PDT
Kari Anderson
Instantly after scoring his purpose, Bradley Barcola didn’t rejoice, however picked up the ball to deliver it again to middle area. The French know that they nonetheless have numerous work to do on this second half.